| Bhutan
- Ethnic Groups & People |
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Bhutan People Layaps |
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Bhutan Information |
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Peptic
ulcer common in Laya
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Apart
from the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) stomach
ailment (peptic ulcer syndrome) is also very common among the Layap community
that live in the northern borders of remote Gasa dzongkhag, according to
health officials.
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| Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck |
| "Most
of the people of Laya suffer from peptic ulcers because of their nomadic
lifestyle," a health ministry spokesperson said. "Of the 100 patients seen
early this month almost half of them complain of stomach aliments," she
added. |
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She
said that this could be attributed to alcohol and tobacco which is believed
to be consumed highly in Laya. Peptic ulcer syndrome also caused due to
irregular meals. "Since Layaps are nomadic community and herdsmen they
spend their time mostly with yaks they do not eat their meals in time thus
attributing to stomach ailments," a spokesman said
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| According
to observers Layaps are known to be alcoholic and heavy smokers because
of easy accessibility to the northern borders from where they import both
cigarettes and alcohol.
The
availability of imported brands of cigarette from China was noted with
great concern. Referring to the nationwide ban on the sale of cigarettes
and the associated penalties the officiating secretary of health, Dr. Gado
Tshering pointed out the need to have the matter taken up at the national
tobacco control forum.
It
was also found that the main cause of ill health particularly in remote
areas like Laya and Lingzhi was attributed to poor personal and domestic
hygiene. |
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According
to health officials who visited the northern region, diarrheal disease,
skin and eye infections were commonly seen in these remote communities.
These
were the key issues identified to pay attention during the recent visit
to Lingzhi, Laya and Gasa by the UNFPA goodwill ambassador, Her Majesty
Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck who also emphasised and discussed about safe
motherhood and related issues such as family planning and teenage pregnancy,
prevention of cervical cancer, STD/HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, health and
hygiene.
During
the public meeting in Laya, several member of the community made requests
for an additional health worker based on the fact that health workers were
away on training or on maternity leave. At present, Laya has two health
workers, one male and one female.
The
BHU records, however, revealed that not a single delivery had been conducted
at the both BHUs in Laya and Lingzhi despite the placement of a female
health worker in 2001 after Her Majesty's last visit in Gasa.
In
Laya, one maternal death was reported close to the BHU recently. The cause
of death was severe bleeding during delivery. The health team also came
across a case of teenage pregnancy (14-year old) in Lingzhi.
Her
Majesty expressed her deep concern about the high maternal death rates
in the country which stands at 255 per 100,000 live births. The main cause
of maternal deaths she pointed were attributed to excessive bleeding during
delivery and infections. The other causes of maternal deaths, according
to health officials, were pregnancies that occurred too close (no spacing),
too many, and too early (teenage pregnancies).
During
the 15-day tour from September 21 to October 5, 2005, of the remote gewogs
of Gasa, Her Majesty met with the members of the multi-sectoral task force
(MSTF) of Gasa dzongkhag formed in 2001 to review its activities in advocating
HIV/AIDS, STD and reproductive health issues among the general public.
The members also requested to supply audio visual equipment to enhance
the awareness of the rural population.
According
to health officials, the advocacy efforts started in 1999 after Her Majesty
assumed the role of UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. "Since then Her Majesty
visited and covered the remote corners of all 20 dzongkhags of the country,"
Dr. Sonam Ugen of the Health Ministry said.
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| This
article was contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National
Newspaper |
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Lingzhi-Laya-Gasa:
HM the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck - Advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS
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Lingzhi-Laya-Gasa:
HM the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck - Advocacy campaign on HIV/AIDS
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